Vol. I · Independent Publication Not a Lender · Not a BrokerBy Bar Alezrah
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What is a Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)? The Complete Guide

Credibly vs CAN Capital 2026: Which MCA Provider Is Better?

Credibly vs CAN Capital compared on factor rates, minimum credit, funding speed, and reputation. See which MCA lender fits your small business in 2026.

Credibly vs CAN Capital 2026: Which MCA Provider Is Better?
By Bar Alezrah7 min readPublished April 14, 2026 · Updated April 14, 2026

Key Takeaways

  • Credibly typically cheaper for mid-credit borrowers 550-700 range. $50K at 1.28 costs $64K vs CAN Capital at 1.32 costs $66K.
  • CAN Capital only for 500-549 credit one of few MCA providers accepting below 550.
  • Credibly offers more products MCA, working capital loan, and line of credit. CAN Capital is MCA only.
  • CAN Capital has operating history since 1998 Credibly since 2010. Both are legitimate licensed lenders.
  • Both should be last-resort options SBA, term loans, and lines of credit are cheaper if you qualify.

Credibly and CAN Capital are two long-running merchant cash advance providers. Both have funded billions in MCAs, both serve small businesses that bank lenders will not, and both have mixed reputations. This comparison digs into the real differences so you can pick the one that fits your situation, or decide that neither one does.

Quick Verdict

Choose Credibly if you want more product variety (MCA plus working capital loans and lines of credit) and a more consistent regulatory track record. Credibly is also slightly easier to qualify for at lower revenue thresholds.

Choose CAN Capital if you have a very low credit score (500 to 549) and cannot get approved anywhere else. CAN Capital is one of the few providers that openly accepts scores in this range.

Side-by-Side Comparison

| | Credibly | CAN Capital | |---|---|---| | Founded | 2010 | 1998 | | Funding range | $5,000 to $600,000 | $2,500 to $250,000 | | Factor rate | 1.11 to 1.45 | 1.15 to 1.45 | | Minimum credit score | 550 | 500 | | Minimum annual revenue | $180,000 | $150,000 | | Minimum time in business | 6 months | 6 months | | Funding speed | Same day to 2 days | 1 to 3 business days | | Products | MCA, working capital loan, LOC | MCA only | | Prepayment benefits | Varies by product | Some prepayment discounts |

Cost Comparison

Factor rate ranges overlap almost completely. The practical difference is where each lender typically lands within that range.

  • Credibly tends to quote factor rates of 1.20 to 1.35 for borrowers with strong qualifications, and 1.35 to 1.45 for higher-risk borrowers.
  • CAN Capital tends to quote 1.25 to 1.40 for most borrowers, with higher rates for credit scores below 550.

On a $50,000 MCA:

  • Credibly at 1.28: total repayment $64,000
  • CAN Capital at 1.32: total repayment $66,000

On paper, Credibly is typically slightly cheaper for mid-credit borrowers. CAN Capital becomes competitive only when you have a credit score below 550 and cannot qualify at Credibly.

Qualification Differences

CAN Capital's 500 credit score minimum is unusually low for MCA providers. Most competitors require at least 550 to 600. This makes CAN Capital a go-to option for borrowers with damaged credit.

Credibly requires 550 minimum but has a higher revenue threshold ($180K vs $150K). For businesses between $150K and $180K in revenue, CAN Capital is often the only fit.

Company History and Reputation

CAN Capital is one of the oldest MCA providers in the industry. They filed for a form of financial restructuring in 2017 after an internal portfolio issue, which temporarily halted new funding. The company recovered and resumed operations, but the history still appears in their public record.

Credibly has a cleaner operational history. They have operated continuously since 2010 and have funded over $2 billion in small business financing. No major public restructuring events.

Borrower reviews trend neutral to positive for both, with complaints focused on renewal pricing at Credibly and customer service responsiveness at CAN Capital.

Product Variety

Credibly offers three distinct products:

  • MCA (variable percentage holdback)
  • Working capital loan (fixed payments, typically longer term, lower cost for qualified borrowers)
  • Business line of credit

CAN Capital offers MCA only. If you want flexibility to move between products or choose a lower-cost fixed loan, Credibly is the only option between these two.

Transparency

Both lenders disclose factor rates and total repayment amounts. Neither leads the industry in transparency the way OnDeck does.

Both have drawn complaints about renewal offers with higher factor rates than initial advances. This is common across the MCA industry, but it is worth asking each lender about renewal policies before signing.

Best for Your Situation

Credibly is better for:

  • Borrowers with 550 to 700 credit scores
  • Businesses wanting access to multiple product types
  • $180K+ annual revenue
  • Preference for a more consistent company history

CAN Capital is better for:

  • Credit scores between 500 and 549
  • $150K to $180K annual revenue (below Credibly threshold)
  • Businesses that specifically need MCA (not interested in working capital loans)

Should You Use Either?

Both companies should be viewed as last-resort options, not first choices. Before committing to either:

  1. Get a quote from OnDeck or another top-rated provider (see our best MCA companies for 2026 ranking)
  2. Check SBA loan eligibility through a local lender
  3. Consider invoice factoring if your cash flow issue is slow-paying customers
  4. Use our MCA Cost Calculator to see what the true cost looks like

MCAs make sense only when cheaper options are truly unavailable. If you have credit and revenue to qualify at a traditional bank or SBA lender, the cost savings are substantial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Credibly or CAN Capital cheaper?
Credibly typically quotes lower rates to mid-credit borrowers. On a $50,000 MCA, Credibly at 1.28 costs about $64,000 total, while CAN Capital at 1.32 costs about $66,000.
Does CAN Capital accept bad credit?
Yes. CAN Capital accepts credit scores as low as 500, which is unusually low for an MCA provider. Lower scores result in higher factor rates.
Is CAN Capital still in business?
Yes. CAN Capital paused new funding briefly in 2017 during a financial restructuring but resumed operations. They continue to fund MCAs in 2026.
Does Credibly offer more than just MCAs?
Yes. Credibly offers MCAs, working capital loans, and business lines of credit. CAN Capital offers MCAs only.
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Disclaimer: The MCA Guide provides free educational content about merchant cash advances. We are not a lender, broker, or financial advisor. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Some links may be affiliate links. Always consult a qualified professional before making business financing decisions.